It's an unquantifiable, intangible concept. It's an abstraction that often isn't mentioned until the potential culmination is within sight.

Its child claimed three Grammy awards.

The Buckeyes might not control their own destiny, but, as players and coaches have repeated for weeks, they are not concerned with computer rankings (fifth), BCS standings (fourth), AP and coaches' polls (fourth) or public perception (not favorable).

They care about the number occupying their loss column. If their destiny involves a trip to the BCS Championship Game, that number cannot deviate from a zero.

It didn't against Penn State on Saturday.

Ohio State sealed Penn State's fate early on Saturday evening, as the Buckeyes thumped the Nittany Lions, 63-14, before the fourth-largest crowd in Ohio Stadium history. Urban Meyer's bunch totaled 686 yards of offense, 31 first downs, 408 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

"It's a pretty big statement," said freshman speedster Dontre Wilson. "Everybody always downgrades us and puts us down. … We showed the world, or whoever was watching the game, that we are a pretty good team and we can compete with the best."

"The Chase," as the Buckeyes have termed their quest for this season's national title, has morphed into a campaign for widespread respect.

In addition to wins, Ohio State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) must accumulate style points, pundits say. The Buckeyes must pore over box scores and clamor for the faltering of the unbeatens ahead of them in the rankings.

So, despite a comfortable 35-7 lead with 55 seconds remaining in the first half, the Buckeyes marched 84 yards to enhance their advantage at intermission.

So, Meyer challenged the spot on a Penn State first down late in the third quarter, the Buckeyes cruising along with a 49-point cushion.

So, with a 42-point lead, quarterback Braxton Miller split out wide as Kenny Guiton entered the game under center.

"You can't just go out there and predict whatever is going to happen," said Miller, who admitted he heard the national talk about Ohio State as he watched football all day. "[You] just have preparation. It turned out real well."

Whether Ohio State's relentless attack will alter any national perspective remains to be seen. The Buckeyes did, however, finally piece together the well-rounded conference win that had eluded them in meetings with Wisconsin, Northwestern and Iowa.

"I like where we're at right now," Meyer said. "I like where we're at as a team."

Miller watched the fourth quarter from the sideline. Guiton joined the fray on the Buckeyes' final third-quarter series and, on his first play, the fifth-year senior took the snap and bolted into the end zone from two yards out.

Guiton's dash pushed Ohio State's lead to 56-7. His 11-yard scamper provided the Buckeyes with a 63-7 edge.

The developments of the first quarter forecasted the mismatch that eventually materialized.

The Buckeyes drove 75 yards in seven plays and Carlos Hyde logged a two-yard score to open the game. Penn State responded by invading Ohio State territory, but Corey "Pittsburgh" Brown intercepted freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg in the end zone. Miller broke loose for a 39-yard touchdown run with a minute left in the first frame, and safety C.J. Barnett picked off Hackenberg before the quarter concluded.

By the midpoint of the second period, Ohio State had sprinted out to a 28-0 lead.

"[We] have to keep our foot on the pedal," Miller said.

Miller completed 19 of 25 passes for a career-high 261 yards. he totaled 68 yards on 11 carries. In all, he tallied five touchdowns.

Hyde gained 147 yards on 16 carries. The senior has rushed for 464 yards and seven touchdowns in his last three games.

When Penn State orchestrated an 11-play, 79-yard touchdown drive with four minutes remaining in the first half, the Buckeyes wasted little time in offering an answer. Wilson returned the ensuing kickoff past midfield. A 39-yard rush by Hyde supplied Ohio State with its fifth touchdown of the half. Miller connected with Brown again with three seconds left in the quarter for a 25-yard score.

"It's confidence," Meyer said of the difference between Miller the last two weeks -- in which he has accounted for 653 yards of offense -- and the week before, when he committed three turnovers.

The Buckeyes likely lack an upcoming schedule daunting enough to guide them toward their ultimate goal. That may depend on the efforts of teams such as Alabama, Oregon and Florida State.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.